14.2 Substantive Change

The Institution has a policy and procedure to ensure that all substantive changes are reported in accordance with SACSCOC policy.

Judgment

x Compliance o Non-Compliance o Partial Compliance

Narrative

UL Lafayette maintains integrity in informing the Commission of substantive changes, in accordance with the substantive change policy. To facilitate compliance, the University’s adopted Substantive Change Policy is posted on the Academic Affairs website, along with policies and procedures on the creation of new programs and significant change to existing programs.

The requirement to monitor institutional changes that are substantive in nature is the responsibility of the University’s SACSCOC Liaison (Currently the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Institutional Effectiveness). That office regularly notifies SACSCOC when any non-substantive change occurs, notifies SACSCOC when a substantive change proposal is being prepared, and submits to SACSCOC a substantive change prospectus for each proposed substantive change. Since 2010, UL Lafayette has filed the following substantive change notices and prospectuses with SACSCOC, and received the accompanying approvals:

Table 14.2 – 1: UL Lafayette Substantive Changes 2010-2019

Date of Substantive Change Prospectus	Substantive Change	Initial Letter of Notification	Prospectus	Date of SACSCOC Approval	SACSCOC Approval Letter
May, 2011	Conversion of existing BS in Kinesiology – concentration in Health Promotion and Wellness from face-to-face to more than 50% online (University’s first online program)		Prospectus	August 22, 2011	Letter
October 10, 2011	Creation of PhD in Systems Engineering	Notification	Prospectus	January 11, 2011	Letter
March 1, 2012	Creation of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program	Notification	Prospectus	August 15, 2012	Letter
August 8, 2012	Creation of MS in Kinesiology program	Notification	Prospectus	January 14, 2013	Letter
January 4, 2016	Closing of DPD in Dietetics	Notification	Prospectus	May 6, 2016	Letter

In preparing UL Lafayette’s Compliance Certification and summary information, it was discovered that one notification had not been submitted to the Commission prior to the implementation of a Procedure Two (notification) change. Upon discovery, the institution submitted notification to SACSCOC regarding the Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program which began offering 25 – 49% of the program’s total 36 SCH off-site. This delivery method was developed at the request of local school districts in an effort to provide greater access and flexibilty to area teachers interested in pursing a graduate degree.